Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Jinan: Former champions Jeonbuk Motors maintained an unbeaten record in the AFC Champions League this season as second half goals from Han Kyo-won, Lee Jae-sung and Leonardo secured an eye-catching 4-1 away win over China’s Shandong Luneng on Tuesday.
Edu’s audacious first half chip had handed 2006 winners Jeonbuk the lead after 21 minutes only for Shandong’s Yang Xu to level the scores with his third goal in two games just before the hour mark.
But with Han, Lee and Leonardo netting inside the final 20 minutes, K-League Classic champions Jeonbuk added to last week’s goalless draw with Japan’s Kashiwa Reysol in Group E.
Chinese FA Cup winners Shandong, meanwhile, were unable to add to their opening day 3-2 win over Vietnam champions Binh Duong, as goalscorer Yang was dismissed with just over 10 minutes remaining for the home side.
Choi joy after Jeonbuk's 'crucial' win against Shandong Luneng
Jeonbuk dominated the first half at Jinan Olympic Sports Centre and took the lead in spectacular fashion after 21 minutes as Brazilian forward Edu superbly chipped Shandong goalkeeper Wang Dalei from 25 yards despite the custodian standing on the edge of his six yard area.
Wang was by far the busier of the two goalkeepers in the first half with Edu’s compatriot Eninho also coming close in the opening 45 minutes.
But Shandong were able to make considerable improvements after half-time and equalised a minute after the hour mark as Zhang Wenzhao was able to bundle the ball back towards an onrushing Yang and the striker swept a first-time strike across Jeonbuk goalkeeper Kwoun Sun-tae and into the far corner.
Shandong, though, were back on level terms for just 10 minutes as Han fired through the legs of Wang from inside the area as Shandong allowed Lee to head across the face of goal to set up the Korea Republic international.
And Jeonbuk added a third just five minutes later as Wang could only palm Leonardo’s corner towards the edge of the penalty area and Lee was on hand to fire a first-time rising strike into the top corner.
Shandong’s hopes of another fightback were then made even harder as China intentional Yang, who came off the bench to score twice last week against Binh Duong, was sent-off after picking up a second yellow card with 11 minutes remaining after attempting to divert Walter Montillo’s free-kick into the net with his hand.
And Jeonbuk sealed the win in stoppage time as Leonardo fired high past Wang from inside the area.
Photo: WSG